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Laapata Ladies, Bridgerton and Heeramandi might have dominated the OTT cycle last month, but none of these dramas can hold a candle to the absolute thriller that unfolded during the Lok Sabha election cycle this year. While the parties scramble to decide their allegiances, most people are already convinced about a result familiar to the previous two general elections: <keyword id="20509939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-3-0" source="keywords">Modi 3.0</keyword>. However, the road to the end has proven anything but a bed of lotuses for the Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>). Despite staunch optimism of winning 400 out of 543 seats, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (<keyword id="19938590" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA" source="keywords">NDA</keyword>) managed to capture only 293 — a margin barely above the 272 seats majority, and dozens below their 2014 and 2019 standings. Then came the fact that the BJP, with only 240 seats won, would have to be supported by two major partner parties: the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United), if they wished to finalise a majority and form the next Lok Sabha. This meant that the ball currently remains in the courts of these two quintessential “Kingmakers”; will they keep their pre-poll promises to ensure the continuity of Mr Modi, or usurp him by joining the opposition <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="INDIA" source="keywords">INDIA</keyword> bloc? This mystery may linger not just this week, but throughout the term of the next government given the fickle nature of the Indian political system. As we move into the final few legs of this political marathon, the story has only taken a turn for the juicier. According to media reports, INDIA has now offered the position of Deputy Prime Minister to JD(U) Nitish Kumar and a special status to Andhra Pradesh (with TDP majority) if the parties align with the alliance and forsake their NDA partnership. If they agree, the INDIA-TDP-JD(U) coalition could overthrow BJP-NDA to form the government, making for the biggest <keyword id="21945335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="political-plot-twist" source="keywords">political plot twist</keyword> in decades. While we wait for the historical gavel to drop, let’s take a look back at the other bombshells to have come out of the tallying process so far. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="BJP falls short of majority" comment="subhead" text="BJP falls short of majority">BJP falls short of majority</cmsannotation> Despite battle cries of ‘Abki baar 400 par’, the Modi-led party has failed to cross the required 272 seats necessary for a clear majority and stands far below their performances in 2014 and 2019. They are no longer self-sufficient enough to make a third term without the support from allies. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="BJP loses ground in Hindi Heartland" comment="subhead" text="BJP loses ground in Hindi Heartland">BJP loses ground in Hindi Heartland</cmsannotation> The northern states, which constitute a large section of the Hindi-speaking population, have been considered BJP’s biggest loyalists. Despite this, the party has faced unexpected stiff competition in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Haryana. These are crucial states for the BJP, as they hold a large number of seats and losing a majority of these seats has weakened their moral position. While some blame the loss on the anger of dominant castes in the region, others say that the party ignored these stronghold regions in pursuit of expansion to the east and south. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="NDA wins below 300 seats, far below landslide 400 predictions" comment="subhead" text="NDA wins below 300 seats, far below landslide 400 predictions">NDA wins below 300 seats, far below landslide 400 predictions</cmsannotation> Not only has BJP itself been unable to capture the required majority, their NDA coalition hasn’t even touched 300 Lok Sabha seats. This indicates a significant loss of public support compared to predictions. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="BJP loses Ram Temple Constituency" comment="subhead" text="BJP loses Ram Temple Constituency">BJP loses <keyword id="41267" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-temple" source="Orion">Ram Temple</keyword> Constituency</cmsannotation> Construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been one of BJP’s most prominent election promises in the past two elections. Despite delivering on this front, the party has lost the Faizabad seat to Samajwadi Party candidate Awadhesh Prasad. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Lotus blooms down south" comment="subhead" text="Lotus blooms down south">Lotus blooms down south</cmsannotation> BJP opened its account for the first time in Kerala with a win for actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi at the Thrissur seat. In Telangana, both BJP and Congress put up a strong performance by winning eight seats each and sidelining the regional parties. However, for the BJP, Tamil Nadu was a disappointment as it failed to win even one seat despite immense push from all quarters. The party did manage to increase the vote share to double digits despite a lack of support from the regional parties. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="BJP wins all Delhi seats" comment="subhead" text="BJP wins all Delhi seats">BJP wins all Delhi seats</cmsannotation> Making a hat-trick, the BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi for the third time, beating the Congress-AAP alliance. <h3>Individual/Regional Politics</h3><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Rahul Gandhi wins two seats" comment="subhead" text="Rahul Gandhi wins two seats">Rahul Gandhi wins two seats</cmsannotation> After a risky contest for two seats in Kerala’s Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, the Congress leader has won both by a massive margin. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Kangana Ranaut wins Himachal seat" comment="subhead" text="Kangana Ranaut wins Himachal seat"><keyword id="10343350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kangana-ranaut-wins" source="Orion">Kangana Ranaut wins</keyword> Himachal seat</cmsannotation> The celebrity candidate’s debut resulted in a strong win for the Mandi seat for BJP. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Smriti Irani loses" comment="subhead" text="Smriti Irani loses">Smriti Irani loses</cmsannotation> Despite high expectations, Smriti Irani loses the Amethi seat by a large margin to Congress’ Kishori Lal Sharma. This is a high-profile defeat for a key BJP figure. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Shashi Tharoor faces a brief hiccup" comment="subhead" text="Shashi Tharoor faces a brief hiccup">Shashi Tharoor faces a brief hiccup</cmsannotation> Earlier trends had briefly indicated trouble for the recurrent Thiruvananthapuram MP. However, the tides turned quickly, handing Tharoor the win over Rajeev Chandrasekhar. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan wins" comment="subhead" text="Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan wins">Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan wins</cmsannotation> Stepping up to politics for the first time, cricketer turned politician Yusuf Pathan won West Bengal’s Baharampur seat for the Trinamool Congress. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Jailed pro-Khalistani candidate victorious in Punjab" comment="subhead" text="Jailed pro-Khalistani candidate victorious in Punjab">Jailed pro-Khalistani candidate victorious in Punjab</cmsannotation> Amritpal Singh, a notable Khalistan supporter and independent candidate clinched the Khadoor Sahib seat from jail in Punjab. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Sexual assault-accused Prajwal Revanna pulls considerable vote share" comment="subhead" text="Sexual assault-accused Prajwal Revanna pulls considerable vote share">Sexual assault-accused Prajwal Revanna pulls considerable vote share</cmsannotation> Despite a final win by Congress candidate Shreyas M. Patel in Karnataka’s Hassan constituency, JD(U)’s Prajwal Revanna garnered 46.5% of the total votes. This has occurred despite being in police custody and having a massive sexual assault case lodged against the candidate. <h3>Other notable events</h3><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Indore sets record for highest NOTA voters" comment="subhead" text="Indore sets record for highest NOTA voters">Indore sets record for highest NOTA voters</cmsannotation> Controversy had earlier erupted in Indore after Congress candidate Akshya Kanti Bam deferred to BJP shortly before the voting process had begun. In response, over 2 lakh voters placed their bets on ‘None of the Above’, expressing dissatisfaction with the choices presented to them. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Stock market falls by COVID-19 levels" comment="subhead" text="Stock market falls by COVID-19 levels">Stock market falls by COVID-19 levels</cmsannotation> Anticipating an easy win and stable third term for Modi, the Indian stock surged right before the election. However, government uncertainty later on spurred the Nifty and BSE Sensex indices to crash by as much as 8.5%.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Biggest shockers to come out of the thrilling election results

<keyword id="21033069" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="women-candidates" source="keywords">Women candidates</keyword> like Selja, <keyword id="19941210" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kangana-Ranaut" source="keywords">Kangana Ranaut</keyword>, <keyword id="19968072" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hema-Malini" source="keywords">Hema Malini</keyword>, <keyword id="19960481" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dimple-Yadav" source="keywords">Dimple Yadav</keyword> and <keyword id="20377641" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Misha-Bharti" source="keywords">Misha Bharti</keyword> are leading by a significant margin in their respective constituencies in the general elections. Amethi's incumbent MP <keyword id="19899683" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smriti-irani" source="keywords">Smriti Irani</keyword> and Sultanpur MP Maneka Gandhi are among MPs trailing by huge margin in their constituencies. Selja, <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> candidate from Sirsa, is also leading from her constituency by over 2.5 lakh votes, as of 3.35 pm. <keyword id="20453436" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bansuri-Swaraj" source="keywords">Bansuri Swaraj</keyword>, who has been fielded by the BJP from New Delhi constituency is leading by over 50,000 votes. A total of 797 women contested the Lok Sabha elections. Some of the prominent women candidates who are leading in the contest include Kangana Ranaut, Hema Malini, Dimple Yadav and Misha Bharti. At 3 pm, Ranaut, first time contender from BJP in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, is leading by over 70,000 against Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh. Incumbent MP from Mathura Hema Malini is leading from the constituency with a margin of over 2 lakh votes against Congress candidate Mukesh Dhangar. Dimple Yadav, the incumbent MP from Mainpuri, has also maintained a comfortable lead of over 2 lakh against BJP's Jayveer Singh. Misha Bharti, daughter of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, is also leading against union minister and incumbent MP from Bihar's Pataliputra by a margin over nearly 50,000 votes. <keyword id="19981448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahua-Moitra" source="keywords">Mahua Moitra</keyword>, incumbent MP from West Bengal's Krishnanagar, is also leading in her seat by a margin of over 50,000 votes while Baramati's incumbent MP Supriya Sule also leading by over 20,000 votes. DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, incumbent MP from Thoothukkudi, is also leading from her constituency by over 2.5 lakh votes.

LS polls: Kangana, Hema Malini, Dimple Yadav among women candidates leading with comfortable margin

Billionaire investor Geroge <keyword id="177967" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="soros" source="Orion">Soros</keyword> has weighed in on the ongoing Adani-Hindenburg row stating that Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> is "silent" on the issue and will have to "answer questions from foreign investors and in parliament." BJP was quick to lash out a the US tycoon stating that "George Soros an international entrepreneur has declared his ill-intention to intervene in democratic processes of India." Soros in a speech on Thursday said that Gautam Adis "accused of stock manipulation and his stock collapsed like a house of cards." "<keyword id="76451" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="adani" source="Orion">Adani</keyword> Enterprises tried to raise funds in the stock market but failed," Soros said. <keyword id="6367820" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="adani-group" source="Orion">Adani Group</keyword> has been accused by US shortseller Hindenburg of engaging in "brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud" over decades, a claim that Adani Group has stoutly denied. Terming Modi and Adani as "close allies," whose "fate is intertwined", the 92-year-old billionaire investor said, "This will significantly weaken Modi's stranglehold on India's federal government and open the door to push for much-needed institutional reforms." "I may be naive, but I expect a democratic revival in India," Soros said in his remarks delivered at the 2023 Munich Security Conference. US-based short seller, in its report on January 24, raised concerns about shares of Adani group companies having a possibility of declining from their current levels owing to high valuations, "brazen stock manipulation", and "accounting fraud", among others. After the report came out, share prices of companies in the Adani Group dropped significantly. The continued sell-offs in the group's stocks led its flagship firm, Adani Enterprises Limited, to cancel a fully subscribed Rs 20,000 crore follow-on public offer. In its response the Adani Group, on January 29, in a long 413-page report, said the report by Hindenburg Research was not an attack on any specific company but a "calculated attack" on India, its growth story, and ambitions. The Adani Group has attacked Hindenburg as "an unethical short seller" and stated that the report by the New York-based entity was "nothing but a lie". The Adani-Hindenburg row was also raised in Parliament with Opposition parties disrupting proceedings in the recent Budget Session wit their demands for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the matter Congress has written to Reserve Bank of India Governor and SEBI chairperson , in two separate letters, seeking an investigation on the allegations levelled against the Adani Group by Hindenburg Research. Earlier on Monday, the central government informed the Supreme Court that SEBI is competent to handle the situation and it has agreed to constitute a committee to protect investor interests, following Hindenburg's report on Adani Group. The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that SEBI is completely equipped to deal with the situation and said that the government has no objection to appointing a committee to suggest ensuring investors are protected in the future. However, he said that the remit of the committee is important since it has an effect internationally. He also said that the government will provide names in a sealed cover. Last week, the Supreme Court sought a response from the Ministry of Finance and SEBI on how to ensure that Indian investors are protected in future against sudden volatility observing the recent crash due to the Hindenburg Research report. Meanwhile, in his Thursday speech, Soros termed India India an interesting case of democracy. "PM Modi maintains close relations with both open and closed societies. India is a member of the Quad (which also includes Australia, the US, and Japan), but it buys a lot of Russian oil at a steep discount and makes a lot of money on it," Soros said. The BJP attacked Soros as "a man who broke bank of England" and is "designated by nation an economic war criminal." "The pronouncements made by George Soros need to be understood. He makes such pronouncements to demolish Indian democracy so that his handpicked people run the government in the country," BJP leader and union minister <keyword id="6612" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="smriti-irani" source="Orion">Smriti Irani</keyword> said in a press conference today. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/govt-gives-in-principle-approval-to-nine-ethanol-blending-projects/articleshow/98005422.cms">Govt gives in-principle approval to nine ethanol blending projects</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-add-subscribers-as-vodafone-idea-continues-to-bleed-subscribers/articleshow/98006341.cms">Reliance Jio and Airtel add subscribers as Vodafone Idea continues to bleed subscribers</a>

George Soros wades into Adani-Hindengburg row, says PM Modi "silent"; BJP hits back

<ul><li><keyword id="6354756" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bcci" source="Orion">BCCI</keyword> today announced that its centrally-contracted male and female cricketers will get equal match fees, ending the gender pay gap. </li><li>Accordingly, women cricketers will now earn ₹15 lakh per Test, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I match. </li><li>The decision has been praised by the likes of Union Minister <keyword id="6612" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="smriti-irani" source="Orion">Smriti Irani</keyword>, former Indian women’s cricket team captain <keyword id="68864" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mithali-raj" source="Orion">Mithali Raj</keyword>, current captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and other male cricketers. </li></ul>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/bcci-announces-equal-pay-for-centrally-contracted-male-and-female-players/articleshow/95117601.cms">announced</a> that centrally-contracted women and men cricketers will get equal match fees. The board’s decision has won praise from Union Minister Smriti Irani, former Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and others. According to the BCCI's announcement, centrally-contracted women cricketers will now earn ₹15 lakh per Test, ₹6 lakh per One Day International (ODI), and ₹3 lakh per T20 International (T20I) match. Earlier, the match fee was limited to ₹4 lakh per Test, and ₹1 lakh each for ODIs and T20Is. The pay equity announcement won BCCI praises from all quarters, with Union Minister Smriti Irani calling it a welcome step. <div type="twitter" handle="smritiirani" handlename="Smriti Z Irani" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1553995497253154816/vV5kbfO4_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1230" retweetcount="117" status="A welcome step 🎉 https://t.co/00nZTBLxNs" createdat="1666854841000" id="1585530239995682816"></div> Former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj, who is also the leading scorer in women’s international cricket, called it a historic decision. <div type="twitter" handle="M_Raj03" handlename="Mithali Raj" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1576818157830176769/dcDODnkP_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3765" retweetcount="221" status="This is a historic decision for women’s cricket in India! The pay equity policy along with the WIPL next year, we a… https://t.co/8g4Q7rMilQ" createdat="1666855448000" id="1585532785942736896"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="JhulanG10" handlename="Jhulan Goswami" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1558427482742669313/hU-X1X8-_normal.jpg" favoritecount="491" retweetcount="34" status="Great initiative from @BCCI and @JayShah sir for the upliftment of women's cricket. This will motivate young girls… https://t.co/2syTkCZnZA" createdat="1666862642000" id="1585562960487157760"></div> Harmanpreet Kaur, the present captain of the women’s team, also welcomed the decision, calling it a “red letter day” for women’s cricket in India. <div type="twitter" handle="ImHarmanpreet" handlename="Harmanpreet Kaur" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1554360623890583552/6GbF1xDN_normal.jpg" favoritecount="21901" retweetcount="1194" status="Truly a red letter day for Women’s Cricket in India with pay parity announced for women and men. Thank you @BCCI and @JayShah" createdat="1666857127000" id="1585539828577636352"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="mandhana_smriti" handlename="Smriti Mandhana" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1567482867097255937/3rc-mWCu_normal.jpg" favoritecount="17439" retweetcount="879" status="What amazing news for Women's cricket in India 👏👏 https://t.co/Mn4shzF05r" createdat="1666861199000" id="1585556905476648960"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="LicypriyaK" handlename="Licypriya Kangujam" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1578300883040755712/tvciotSE_normal.jpg" favoritecount="735" retweetcount="67" status="This is a historic decision. We need equal pay for equal works at everywhere! ❤️Let's support every good initiati… https://t.co/fyAipxHHD2" createdat="1666861374000" id="1585557641463754752"></div> Former and current Indian men’s cricket team players also chimed in, including Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Cheteshwar Pujara. “Cricket has been an equalizer in many ways. This is a welcome step towards gender equality in the game and erasing discrimination from the sport,” said <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1585579611215101953">Sachin Tendulkar</a>. Former fast bowler, Harbhajan Singh also believes that this decision can bring in more participation. “Happy to know that @BCCI has taken the decision of pay equity policy for sportspersons in cricket. BCCI has set a standard for other sports bodies. It will encourage greater participation of women in the game. A historic milestone indeed,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/harbhajan_singh/status/1585534997498589184">said in a tweet</a>. <div type="twitter" handle="VVSLaxman281" handlename="VVS Laxman" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1578679422072545280/LFcTkGJh_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1035" retweetcount="59" status="Kudos to @BCCI and @JayShah Pay equity for all contracted Men and Women cricketers is a praise worthy decision and… https://t.co/lsKHK22Jtl" createdat="1666867864000" id="1585584860529577986"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="YUVSTRONG12" handlename="Yuvraj Singh" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1554342872111259650/oTKdsRJD_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1513" retweetcount="86" status="Fantastic decision by @BCCI to have equal pay for all centrally contracted men &amp; women #TeamIndia cricketers 👏🏻… https://t.co/4kHXQE15CL" createdat="1666871935000" id="1585601938951114753"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="GautamGambhir" handlename="Gautam Gambhir" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1572983811474096128/48FOXFvh_normal.jpg" favoritecount="10306" retweetcount="446" status="When you empower players, you bring out the very best in them! Pay equity is a splendid initiative. Kudos @JayShah!! 👏👏 @BCCI" createdat="1666867196000" id="1585582060881981441"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="ImRaina" handlename="Suresh Raina🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1579087049713278976/K-vwasGT_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2436" retweetcount="96" status="Very happy to hear about the decision of implementation of pay equity policy for the Indian women cricketers, so pr… https://t.co/oy49xcAiU2" createdat="1666870120000" id="1585594325949612032"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="rpsingh" handlename="R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1559790417755140096/GGJpGFUR_normal.jpg" favoritecount="123" retweetcount="6" status="New year, new dawn 🌤️The new pay equity policy for men &amp; women cricketers will see the new light for gender equal… https://t.co/yB0rLjNwCZ" createdat="1666864063000" id="1585568918088794113"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="cheteshwar1" handlename="Cheteshwar Pujara" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1559821405612519424/qins--Mk_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1287" retweetcount="34" status="A great step from the @BCCI towards uplifting women's cricket in India and setting an example for the world to foll… https://t.co/x9bEeVKGcz" createdat="1666859880000" id="1585551376448458752"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="BCCI joins New Zealand Cricket board in pay parity for women and men cricketers" comment="subhead" text="BCCI joins New Zealand Cricket board in pay parity for women and men cricketers">BCCI joins New Zealand Cricket board in pay parity for women and men cricketers</cmsannotation> With its decision today, BCCI has joined the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board in announcing pay parity for women and men cricketers. Earlier this year, NZC <a href="https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/the-new-deal-cricket-s-ground-breaking-agreement/">struck</a> a deal with the players’ association to announce that its women cricketers will earn as much as men cricketers, allowing them to earn from NZ$575 for domestic T20s, to NZ$10,250 for Test matches. Last year, Cricket Australia<a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pay-increase-for-australia-s-female-domestic-players-as-part-of-funding-boost-1282639"> announced</a> wage hikes for women cricketers, but the gender pay gap still exists there too. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/amid-startup-funding-crunch-udaan-raises-120-million-and-plans-ipo-after-a-year/articleshow/95122956.cms">Amid startup funding crunch, Udaan raises $120 million and plans IPO after a year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/q2-corporate-earnings-report-banks-perform-well-moderate-growth-in-fmcg-auto/articleshow/95120418.cms">Q2 corporate earnings report: Banks perform well, moderate growth in FMCG, auto</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/jiomart-on-whatsapp-is-a-big-opportunity-for-paid-messaging-market-zuckerberg/articleshow/95114891.cms">JioMart on WhatsApp is a big opportunity for paid messaging market: Zuckerberg</a>

Historic decision, red-letter day – BCCI’s pay equity decision wins hearts of Smriti Irani, Sachin Tendulkar, Mithali Raj and more

<ul><li><keyword id="6612" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smriti-Irani">Smriti Irani</keyword> returns to be a Cabinet Minister with two ministries – Women &amp; Child Development along with Textiles.</li><li>Irani is the BJP MP from <keyword id="6360791" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="amethi">Amethi</keyword>.</li><li>She defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the Amethi constituency.</li></ul>The Narendra Modi government has duly rewarded its star performer Smriti Irani, by allocating her two portfolios – Women &amp; Child Development along with Textiles. Irani, the BJP MP from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh managed a spectacular win this election against Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi. Irani, who held the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&amp;B) before the country went into elections, had been shuffled around many times in the cabinet. She had held the Human Resource Development Ministry and also Textiles later. The former television actress had entered politics in 2003, as she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Though she had lost to Rahul Gandhi at Amethi during the 2014 general elections, she managed a stunning turnaround with her relentless campaigning this time around. She had managed to cut Gandhi’s vote share by 12%, in the traditional Congress stronghold. Irani had ran elections for a Lok Sabha seat for the first time in 2004 from Chandni Chowk in Delhi. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/smriti-irani-winner-from-amethi-lok-sabha-seat/articleshow/69469872.cms">Smriti Irani: The woman who broke the Congress Bastion</a>

Smriti Irani gets two portfolios – Women & Child Development and Textiles

<ul><li>The Women and Child Development (WCD) and Education Ministries are working in a coordinated way to meet the Prime Minister's vision of providing nutritious meals to the students in government schools. </li><li>The Prime Minister had in 2018 launched 'Poshan Abhiyaan'-- a robust scheme which has been playing an important role in eliminating malnutrition from the country. </li><li>On this 'Poshan Maah 2020', Modi's government planned to focus on an intensive campaign across the country for the holistic nourishment of children with severe acute malnutrition, Union Home Minister <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amit-shah">Amit Shah</keyword> said in a statement. </li></ul>Milk will soon be an integral part of the <keyword id="6467547" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Midday-Meal">midday meal</keyword> scheme to ensure proper nutrition to all students in government schools across the country, which is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim to make a malnutrition-free India. The Women and Child Development (WCD) and Education Ministries are working in a coordinated way to meet the Prime Minister's vision of providing nutritious meals to the students in government schools. All the officials linked to the departments concerned dealing with the policies have been directed by both the ministries on the 3rd 'Rashtriya Poshan Maah' to expedite changes in <keyword id="115962" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="midday">midday</keyword> meal by including milk soon after the schools resume functioning with attendance by children. The Prime Minister had in 2018 launched 'Poshan Abhiyaan'-- a robust scheme which has been playing an important role in eliminating malnutrition from the country. On this 'Poshan Maah 2020', Modi's government planned to focus on an intensive campaign across the country for the holistic nourishment of children with severe acute malnutrition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a statement. In this regard, an official, requesting anonymity, told IANS that the Education Ministry may come up with a revised menu for midday meals scheme, that will include milk as an integral component. All the state government's have been told to implement the new midday meal policy which includes milk. Earlier, the then HRD Ministry had revised its midday meal policy in 2016. In order to give better quality food to children in schools where midday meals are provided, the HRD has revised its norms, that include milk as a necessary supplement. WCD Minister <keyword id="6612" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smriti-Irani">Smriti Irani</keyword> on Monday assured Vice-President <keyword id="8563926" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="m-venkaiah">M Venkaiah</keyword> Naidu that the central government would consider recommending to all the states to "include milk in the midday meal scheme". Irani's assurance came after Naidu earlier in the day suggested to her to add milk in breakfast or midday meals of children to improve nutritional level. The Vice President spoke with Irani on the 3rd Rashtriya Poshan Maah aimed at contributing towards a malnutrition-free India. An official in the Education Ministry told IANS that all students from Classes 1 to 8 in all government schools will be given 200 ml milk every day along with the midday meals. As per the official, this policy as is similar to the one issued in 2016 and then HRD Ministry direction to states in 2018 in which many loopholes were reported in its implementation. The states were earlier also directed to include milk and milk products in the midday meals so that these items could be procured from cooperative milk unions or federations. The Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department also took up the issue with the state Chief Secretaries on December 15, 2017, requesting them to consider supplying milk and milk products through their network under midday meals scheme of the Centre. Karnataka, <keyword id="6355554" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Madhya-Pradesh">Madhya Pradesh</keyword>, Haryana, Puducherry, and Gujarat have confirmed supply of milk through schools but some states with higher surplus stocks of milk powder like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab are yet to decide in this regard. Almost two decades have passed since the midday meal became a part of the daily routine in government schools across the country. The central government had received complaints earlier on about inclusion of milk in midday meals. As per government norms, every child should receive 150-200 ml milk. However, there have been complaints that one litre of milk was mixed in a bucketful of water to serve to more than 80 children in a school in rural Uttar Pradesh. Some videos have also gone viral on the social media regarding the said incident. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/us-magazine-fortune-released-its-annual-40-under-40-list-of-most-influential-people-under-the-age-of-40/slidelist/77906566.cms">Isha and Akash Ambani, Adar Poonawalla, Byju Raveendran — meet the Indians who made it to Fortune's ‘40 under 40’ list this year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/interview-madhuri-dixit-and-dr-shriram-nene-are-looking-to-raise-funds-for-their-online-dance-school-and-a-new-healthtech-venture/articleshow/77930270.cms">This Indian scientist-turned drugmaker doubled his wealth to $6 billion during coronavirus pandemic</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/interview-madhuri-dixit-and-dr-shriram-nene-are-looking-to-raise-funds-for-their-online-dance-school-and-a-new-healthtech-venture/articleshow/77930270.cms">Madhuri Dixit and Dr Shriram Nene are looking to raise funds for their online dance school and a new healthtech venture</a>

Milk to be 'integral' part of midday meal scheme soon

<keyword id="2262976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="HRD-Minister-Smriti-Irani">HRD Minister Smriti Irani</keyword> has cleared a proposal to allow foreign students to take entrance examinations to enrol in IITs. 
 
Aspirants will take Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) at the bachelor's level and the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) at the master's and PhD levels. 
 
Irani, who is also chairperson of the IIT Council, has asked IITs to bring a proposal before the panel for approval. 
 
The ministry wants to add 10,000 seats in 18 IITs to attract students from South Asia, Africa and West Asia. 
 
To get admission, foreign students will have to pay full fees of Rs 4-5 lakh per year. Indian students pay Rs 90,000 per year as fee. 
 
The onus to prepare JEE and GATE exams in countries abroad is on IIT-Bombay director Professor Devang V Khakhar. 
 
Until now, foreign students could study in IITs through cultural exchange fellowship. 
 
Also, this doesn’t mean that Indians will not get the preference as the number of seats for Indian students will not be changed. 
 Meanhwhile, <keyword id="61708" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Bombay">IIT Bombay</keyword> will identify countries as well as the institutes for conducting GATE and JEE 2016.

IITs open doors for foreign students, allows them to take entrance exams

<keyword id="2262976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="HRD-Minister-Smriti-Irani">HRD Minister Smriti Irani</keyword> said India was sixth in the number of total annual research papers published and contributed 4.36% of the global output in 2013. 
 
As per Department of Science and Technology, India was third among all countries when it came to scientific publications in nano science and technology. 
 
Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Irani said Thomson Reuters predicted that "India's research productivity will be on par with most G8 nations within seven to eight years". 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

India featured at sixth spot in global research output in 2013

Mortal remains of late former Indian President <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=APJ+Abdul+Kalam">APJ Abdul Kalam</a> arrived at Palam Airport in New Delhi from Guwahati on Tuesday. 
 Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, <keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword>, along with Three Service Chiefs paid homage to Kalam. 
 
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were also present. 
 
 
 
Public can pay homage to the late President from 3pm onwards at 10 Rajaji Marg in New Delhi. 
 
 
 
The last rites will take place at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. 
 
People from all walks of life took to social media and paid homage to the apolitical President. Kalam led the scientific team that developed missiles able to carry India's nuclear warheads. 
 
He became a national hero after helping oversee nuclear tests in 1998 that solidified India's status as a nuclear weapons state. India's first atomic test was in 1974. 
 
Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=smriti+irani">Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani</a> announced Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan to be renamed as APJ Abdul Kalam Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan. 
 
Telangana Government has announced holiday, whereas the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to work one hour extra to pay tribute to the late President. 
 
Kalam died on Monday (July 27) from a cardiac arrest at the age of 83. 
 
Kalam, popularly known as 'Missile Man', was delivering a lecture in Shillong when he collapsed and was rushed to Bethany Hospital. 
 
Kalam’s last tweet was: 
 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Going to Shillong.. to take course on Livable Planet earth at iim. With <a href="https://twitter.com/srijanpalsingh">@srijanpalsingh</a> and Sharma.
	— In memoryof Dr.Kalam (@APJAbdulKalam) <a href="https://twitter.com/APJAbdulKalam/status/625546195205648384">July 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
 
We at Business Insider have created this unique platform for anyone who wants to pay homage to this the beloved Former President, APJ Abdul Kalam- the great leader, teacher, scientist and amongst many other things a visionary par excellence, even as he embarks upon his last journey. Just click on the link to pay your respects: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/social/48249034.cms">http://www.businessinsider.in/social/48249034.cms</a> 
 
(Images: ANI Twitter)

President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Modi pay homage to Dr Kalam at Delhi airport

The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=HRD+ministry">HRD ministry</a> led by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=smriti+irani">Smriti Irani</a> is busy in preparing a framework to rank India’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=higher+education">higher education institutions</a>. 
 
This India-Centric Ranking Framework will give an alternative to Indian students, who often compare rankings of global colleges with India’s. Usually, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/How-to-create-world-class-higher-education-centres-in-India/articleshow/46663582.cms">Indian institutions</a> are ranked below 200. 
 
The country specific rankings will cover all institutes offering courses on engineering, law, management and humanities. 
 
The ranking list is expected to come out in January-February 2016. 
 
The ministry had even held consultations with QS and Times ranking authorities to look at how to improve the rankings. 
 <keyword id="390241" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="National-Board-of-Accreditation">National Board of Accreditation</keyword> Chairman (NBA) Surendra Prasad said, “We submitted the draft to the HRD ministry and they may or may not accept it. It was done at the behest of the HRD ministry and they alone can decide on the ranking framework.” 
 
Meanwhile, academic institutes will be assessed on parameters like teaching-learning; research; collaborative practice and professional performance; graduate outcomes; <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/India-Inc-mops-up-Rs-4-32-lakh-crore-via-private-placement-last-fiscal/articleshow/47678031.cms">placements</a>; outreach and inclusive action and peer group perception. 
 
One of the important parameters is outreach and inclusive action, which will assess institutes on affirmative action and steps taken to reach out students from disadvantaged sections of society. 
 
Moreover, the rankings will be driven through a web-based portal wherein each institute will be able to furnish information. 
 
(Image: Thinkstock)

HRD Ministry will now come up with domestic ranking of Indian institutions

It is going to be difficult for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-Info-Graphic-Shows-By-2020-50-of-Indian-Children-WillAttend-Private-Schools/articleshow/26350362.cms">private schools</a> to inflate fees, ask for donations and terminate students on the basis of performance as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Smriti+Irani">Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani</a> is going to ask some serious questions now. 
 
The HRD ministry is working towards bringing more transparency in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=schooling">education system</a> and asking private as well as government schools to make a couple of disclosures. 
 
The schools, which offer global standard facilities and hire well qualified teachers, will now have to inform the government about their assets, fee structure, admission procedure and their faculty’s qualification and make a legislation to introduce student friendly measures. 
 
The five key proposals of the bill are: 
(a) Asking all schools to declare fee components on their websites 
(b) Notify their admission process clearly and well in advance 
(c) Disclose assets 
(d) Give full information on teachers' educational backgrounds 
(e) Disallow schools from charging full year's fees from students who change schools before the academic year ends. 
 
The bill will not set any benchmark but would only bring transparency in the functioning of the schools and check the malpractices. 
 An official, on the condition of anonymity, told Economic Times, "We are working on a legislation to check malpractices across schools. The idea is to check unduly inflated fees...we do not intend to regulate fees, but push for greater transparency through full disclosure of fees, teachers' qualifications, assets and activities. We will take into account the views of all stakeholders and <keyword id="6359766" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Private-schools">private schools</keyword> and will soon start discussions." 
 
The new law also intends to prevent schools from forcibly turning away or terminating the admission of a child for reasons like 'non-performance'. It also looks forward to have a provision which emphasizes that termination on such grounds puts a student at considerable disadvantage. 
 Under the legislation, full disclosure of teachers' qualification will be mandatory, which will weed out under-qualified teachers. The ministry is working on a set of benchmarks for teacher recruitment and all schools will have to follow them. Former HRD Minister <keyword id="30182" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kapil-Sibal">Kapil Sibal</keyword> had initiated action on checking 'unfair practices' in the education system, but his efforts were focused on higher education. 
 
Image: thinkstock

Private schools will now have to declare their assets, fee structure

Rahul Gandhi created a history of sorts on Thursday. He lost the Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, which no Congress leader ever did since 1980. In fact, death took two of its MPs- Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi away from this seat. It was then taken over by Sonia Gandhi who later had her son and her ‘heir apparent’ to take over. That proved to be a fatal mistake, this election. However, it should be mentioned that Rahul had won from this constituency thrice since 2004. Irani won, albeit with a margin of over 55,000 votes with Rahul emerging as the runner-up. Congress grip loosens <keyword id="6612" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smriti-Irani">Smriti Irani</keyword> a former model, actress and union HRD minister achieved something only one person ever did---a non-Congress candidate who won from the seat. It has been with the party since 1967, ever since it was created. Only Rajendra Pratap Singh of Janata Party had it post-emergency between 1977-80. Irani might have gained from the Modi wave in the state and exasperation of the public against the Gandhi family who has been showing up only for elections. In fact, this time around Rahul who has been busy campaigning across the country, never even bothered to show up at his constituency. He sent his sister, Priyanka Gandhi to take up the mantle. Priyanka was welcomed with posters asking on her brother’s no-show. And, she too was criticized for showing up once in every five years. The tide has turned Irani who garnered a margin 49.7% votes, had countered a lack of Gandhi disinterest, with spirited campaigning. She had reached out to people, spoke to them, challenged dynasty politics and asked why Rahul was missing at the constituency for 15 years. When Rahul sensed the turning tide, he decided to contest from Waynad when she accused him of “running”. The stage for this victory was set in 2014 itself when BJP fielded Irani against Gandhi. Until then, few parties ever bothered to field their best candidates which includes regional parties like Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP). BJP refused to back down on this Congress stronghold which brought on this victory today. Last elections too, she managed to reduce Rahul’s margin who won only by a lakh votes. The firebrand Irani is a well-known face across the country, thanks to being a lead star in a soap opera which ran for over 15 years, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Every mother-in-law was once was a daughter-in-law) She had played a soft spoken and hence an ideal wife in the hit TV series. But she blossomed to become one of the most outspoken of ministers in Modi’s cabinet which is not actually known for diplomatic people. She had come down on people in favour of Narendra Modi, the prime minister. Her speeches ranged from angry to emotional to exasperation; taking her leader’s word to media channels across issues. She<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PlGs8NCMWE"> defended her government</a> for charging Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students with sedition law, saying they have been engaged in “unlawful activities”. She was<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8iqdNm3egk"> moved by the suicide</a> of a dalit student Rohith Vemula led to riots; and blamed the political forces; blaming people for “using his (Rohith’s) body as a political tool”. Irani has in fact been called ‘Modi’s Sushma’ after she comfortably took up the mantle as veteran BJP politician Sushma Swaraj moved away from active politics. However, it is interesting to note that Irani who is mentored by late union telecom minister Pramod Mahajan never started as a Modi fan. In fact, she had blamed Modi for BJP’s<a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/smriti-irani-drama-slams-modi-first-withdraws-statement-hours-later/267055"> loss in 2004</a>, and said that it is unethical of him to stay on in power after the Gujarat riots. Just like Modi, she made a comeback, and that too to a historic success.

Smriti Irani: The woman who broke the Congress bastion

<ul><li>Singer Babul Supriyo, the BJP MP from Asansol in West Bengal swears into Modi’s cabinet. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti from Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh was also sworn in as a Minister of State.</li><li>Former Power and Railways Minister Dr Arvind Sawant from Mumbai South who defeated Milind Deora of Congress too has taken oath. </li><li>Among those who have taken oath include Thawar Chand Gehlot, S Jaishankar (former Foreign Secretary), Ramesh Pokhriyal, Arjun Munda, Dr Harsh Vardhan (former Science Ministry), Prakash Javadekar (former HRD minister), and Piyush Goel (former coal minister).</li><li>Narendra Modi has taken charge as the Prime Minister of the country for the second time in a swearing in ceremony that just concluded.</li></ul> Update at 09:05 pm Debut MP Debasree Chaudhuri of Raiganj in West Bengal takes oath as Minister of State in Modi’s cabinet. Sanjeev Balyan, Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao, Anurag Singh Thakur from Hamirpur, Suresh Angadi, Nityanand Rai, Rattan Lal Kataria, V Muraleedharan, Renuka Singh Saruta, Som Prakash, Rameshwar Teli, Pratap Sarangi, Kailash Chaudhari, Debasree Chaudhuri were also sworn in as Ministers of State. Update at 08:30 pm Ramdas Athawale from Maharashtra’s Sangli district was sworn in as Minister of State, along with Parshottam Rupala. Update at 08:25 pm Secunderabad BJP MP Kishan Reddy takes oath. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gen V K Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar from Faridabad, and Raosaheb Danve too were sworn in. Update at 08:10 pm Prahlad Patel, Raj Kumar Singh from Arrah constituency, Hardeep Singh Puri, Mansukh Mandavia, Faggan Singh Kulaste also take oath. Update at 08:02 pm Shripad Yesso Naik from North Goa is inducted into Modi’s cabinet. Dr Jitendra Singh, the current MP of Haridwar is also sworn in. Update at 08:00 pm Rao Inderjit Singh BJP’s MP from Gurugram, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Santosh Kumar Gangwar from Bareily in Uttar Pradesh were sworn in. Update at 07:55 pm Giriraj Singh from Bihar’s Begusarai who defeated Kanhaiya Kumar, the former student leader and a candidate of Communist Party of India (CPI) was also sworn in. Update at 07:50 pm Former Power and Railways Minister Dr Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South who defeated Milind Deora of Congress too has taken oath. Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, former Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (former Minority Affairs Minister), Pralhad Joshi, too have taken oath. Update at 07:40 pm Piyush Goel and Prakash Javadekar take the oath. Update at 07:35 pm Smriti Irani who won at Amethi against Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi as its MP, also took oath to cheering public. She was the textiles minister in the earlier cabinet. Update at 07:25 pm Narendra Singh Tomar (formerly Rural Development Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad (former Telecom and Law Minister); Harsimrat Kaur Badal (former food processing minister) too have taken oath. Update at 07:19 pm Ram Vilas Paswan also takes the oath of office and secrecy. Update at 07:16 pm Incumbent Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also takes the oath. Update at 07:12 pm Shri Rajnath Singh follows Modi to take oath. He was home affairs minister in the last cabinet. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah has also taken oath. He did not hold a portfolio in the last cabinet Update at 07:07 pm Narendra Modi takes charge as India’s PM for the second time Update at 07:00 pm <keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-narendra-modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> has also arrived at the event. As many as 50 ministers of the cabinet will take oath after the PM today. The ceremony will start at 7 PM. Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut have already arrived at the event at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid along with his first lady too arrived at the event. Update at 06:30 pm Dignitaries and top industrialists like Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani; along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah have already arrived at the venue, to view Narendra Modi take the oath as the Prime Minister for the second time. It’s a big day for India and Narendra Modi who will once again take oath as India’s Prime Minister for a second consecutive term. The master communicator, who has stormed back to power with yet another thumping majority, will once again use the moment and the stage as effectively as it can be. The oath taking ceremony will be held at 7 pm on Thursday (May 30), ensuring that all the attention of prime time television viewers are solely on him. He gave <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/full-text-of-modi-speech-lok-sabha-election-2019/articleshow/69467611.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">over an hour long victory speech</a>, again on prime time, after the election results were declared on May 23. Run up to the event Modi has kickstarted his oath-taking day, early this morning by saluting his heroes. He paid a tribute at the National War Memorial in the morning. The PM from Guajrat won a second consecutive term with a thumping majority, also paid tribute to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prominent former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This charismatic former Prime Minister was instrumental in creating the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 1998. Modi who hails from Gandhinagar which was also home to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, also visited Rajghat today to pay homage. The newly elected PM’s oath taking ceremony promises to be interesting as <a data-type="tilCustomLink">8,000 guests</a> from within and outside the country are expected to pour in for the event. It is being touted as the biggest ever event that takes place at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The event also promises to be star-studded as many Bollywood celebrities including Vivek Oberoi who played the role of Modi, in a now-released movie ‘Modi’, are expected to attend the event. Invites have also gone in for <a data-type="tilCustomLink">BIMSTEC leaders</a>—which includes Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. However, it is now known that leaders from Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius will be attending the event. The swearing in ceremony is striving to make Modi’s guests from his constituency in Varanasi feel special. A special gallery called ‘Kashi Sankul’ is being set-up to accommodate 250 special guests from Uttar Pradesh. The event however is not without its controversies. The winning party BJP invited the families of those killed in the West Bengal political violence which erupted just before the last phase of polling. This move angered Mamata Banerjee the chief minister of the state and the head of Trinamool Congress, who declined an invitation to the attend the ceremony. BJP’s ally in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena slammed Banerjee for this move, in an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamna. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/modis-swearing-in-ceremony-is-set-to-be-the-biggest-event-ever-with-8000-guests/articleshow/69571352.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Modi's swearing in ceremony is set to be the biggest event ever, with 8,000 guests</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/full-text-of-modi-speech-lok-sabha-election-2019/articleshow/69467611.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Full text of Modi’s first speech after historic election victory</a>

You Searched For "HRD Minister Smriti Irani" and got 13 results

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